By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Cedi Osman not playing for Turkiye in the 2023 FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament has been met with controversy.
Osman, 28, issued a public statement in response to Turkish Basketball Federation president Hedo Turkoglu on Wednesday.
“We had a meeting with Cedi Osman in the summer. That process was a little different,” Turkoglu referred to the well-documented situation surrounding Shane Larkin and Scottie Wilbekin. Both options for the naturalized spot on the roster were sanctioned with a fine and suspension, and stripped from domestic player status in Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi.
“He came to us and said that he did not want to play with the national team,” the TBF president added provoking a response from Osman, “We would never force anyone to play for the national team. Any further inquiries on his decision to not play, despite not being injured, should be addressed to him.”
“I did not refuse to wear the jersey of the national team”
Turkiye missed the opportunity to protect the home court in Istanbul and advance from the Pre-Qualifying Tournament to next summer’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.
Reacting to Turkoglu’s comment on his international playing status, the San Antonio Spurs forward stressed that his request to skip the tournament was approved by the federation. The statement additionally included his passion for representing his country in as many competitions as possible.
“With the world being tested with much more important issues and suffering, I would want to talk about a personal situation. I am deeply saddened that the Turkish National Team, the uniform of which I have worn proudly throughout my life, has become the subject of discussion.
This is exactly why I think the facts need to be known.
Until now, I have represented the national team in 178 games, across all levels. In any circumstances, I tried to do my best when I was called up.
I have been playing basketball at the highest level for ten years with the last six in the NBA. This year, I realized that the mental and physical fatigue over the years started to affect my health. On June 2, 2023, to avoid complications, before the national team squad was announced, I met with officials of the federation and asked to be excused from the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.
I said that I wanted to spend the offseason to rest and recover. Federation president Hidayet Turkoglu and other officials were present at the meeting. They had a positive reaction, approved the request, and even added that they wanted to protect me against any possible backlash.
I did not refuse to wear the jersey of the national team.
For me, there is no jersey more valuable than the jersey of the national team.
BUT…
I will not let anyone discredit me to the public.
I want everyone to know that I don’t accept the accusations made against me and that I will continue to tell the truth.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL